Judge sets December hearing on Samsung phone ban

SAN FRANCISCO — The judge in the landmark Apple-Samsung case set a December 6 hearing on punitive damages to the US firm for patent infringement and on whether to ban eight Samsung phones in the US market.

Judge Lucy Koh said in an order Wednesday she would bypass proceedings on preliminary injunction and go directly to Apple’s request for a permanent ban on sales of certain phones by the South Korean electronics giant.

The December 6 hearing will also include debate on whether to triple the jury award of over $1 billion.

Because the jury last week found that Samsung “willfully” infringed on Apple patents for its iconic iPhone, the judge may triple the award as a punitive measure.

Apple has asked the court to ban some of the newer 4G phones from Samsung’s Galaxy line as well as the Droid Charge sold through Verizon.

The case does not include Samsung’s newest Galaxy S III, which was released subsequent to the suit but which is facing separate litigation.